Truman defeats Bearcats, 6-2

Arkadelphia, AR - The Truman State Bulldogs defeated your Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat baseball team on Saturday, February 11, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, by the score 6-2. Northwest's defensive lapse in the 1st inning proved fatal as the Bearcats could not muster much offense against the Bulldog pitching staff. Despite the loss, Northwest concluded its season opening road trip of Southern schools at 6-1. Northwest returned home following the game where they will spend the week back in classes before returning to the road this weekend against Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond, Oklahoma.

A hearty B2R congratulations to Quinten VanAckeren on making his Bearcat debut on Saturday, February 11, 2017, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, against the Truman State Bulldogs. Quinten stands 6'3", weighs 190 pounds, and is a freshman from Omaha, Nebraska, where he graduated from Papillion LaVista South High School. Quinten had an exemplary NCAA Division 2 debut and worked 3.1 innings, allowed only 3 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, and 2 strike-outs. VanAckeren came into the game in the 6th inning in relief of Brad Roberts.

Offensively, Northwest could not generate much offense against the Bulldog pitching staff. James Holler was the most valuable player for the Bearcats. James went 2 for 4 (including a double) with 2 RBIs in the game. Ozzie Adams was the only other Bearcat to muster a hit off of Truman State's pitching (a double) and went 1 for 4 with 1 run scored on the day. Landon Figg, Kevin Handzlik, Jay Hrdlicka, Logan Rycraft, and Kolby Greenslade all earned a walk in the game. In total, Northwest scored 2 runs off of 3 hits, 2 RBIs, 5 walks, 7 strike-outs, and left 6 runners on base.

Defensively, Northwest committed 1 error and allowed 2 unearned runs to score.

Pitching, Brad Roberts earned the start for Northwest Missouri State University. A 1st inning error led to 2 unearned runs and Northwest went to bat in the 1st inning down 3 runs. After the 1st, both Brad and the Bearcat defense settled down and did not allow any more runs until they ran into trouble in the 6th inning. In total, Brad pitched 5.1 innings, allowed 6 hits, 5 runs (only 3 earned), 2 walks, 1 strike-out, 2 wild pitches, 0 balks, and he did not hit a batter. With 1 out in the 6th inning, Quinten VanAckeren made his Bearcat debut and came into the game in relief of Roberts. In total, Quinten pitched 3.1 innings of relief, allowed 3 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, 2 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, and 0 balks or hit batsmen. With 2 outs in the 9th inning, Cole Otto came into the game to close it out. Cole work 0.1 of an inning and did not allow any hits or runs.

Next - Your Northwest Bearcat baseball team returns home before heading back down to Oklahoma for a 3-game weekend series against Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond. The first game is set for Friday, February 17, at 1pm. The second game is Saturday, February 18, at 1pm. The final game is set for Sunday, February 19, at 1pm.

Go Cats!!
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